- Lists reasons to justify region’s decision
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has warned that the region is now effectively “in a state of emergency,” as insecurity, political instability and unconstitutional changes of government continue to push displacement figures to alarming levels.
Delivering a stark assessment at the 55th Ordinary Session of the Mediation and Security Council in Abuja, ECOWAS Commission President Dr. Omar Alieu Touray declared that “it is safe to say our community is in a state of emergency,” citing escalating threats from terrorism, banditry, and political upheavals.
According to Touray, “the country-by-country analyses show different risk levels across our community from high to medium, with an average of high risk,” adding that the region “must confront these threats with the attention they deserve.”
Touray said the situation now requires more frequent high-level engagements, announcing that “sessions of the mediation and security council should be organised more regularly beyond the two ordinary sessions for the next one year.”
He warned that instability—driven by recent coups in Guinea-Bissau and an attempted coup in Benin, expanding terrorist influence, and growing erosion of electoral inclusivity—has pushed West Africa into one of its most fragile periods in decades.
Citing UNHCR data, he noted that “approximately 7.6 million individuals are forcibly displaced across the region,” a rise from 7.4 million earlier this year. Of these, he said, “6,506,270 are internally displaced persons,” mostly from Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, while over one million others are refugees and asylum seekers.
“Behind these numbers are families, women and children who bear the brunt of instability,” Touray stressed, calling for decisive regional action to reverse the humanitarian crisis.
He also warned that upcoming elections in Guinea, Benin, the Gambia and Cape Verde risk becoming flashpoints, saying, “Elections have become a major trigger of instability in our community,” despite ECOWAS’ long-standing constitutional convergence principles.
On relations with the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), Touray said ECOWAS must urgently “negotiate the terms of our security cooperation as we continue to see the devastating effect of terrorist groups along our borders with them.”
He assured citizens that ECOWAS leadership would not relent, pledging that “we will continue to work harder to promote a peaceful, stable, and stronger region for the overall benefit of community citizens.”
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, Timothy Kabba, echoed Touray’s concerns, warning that the political climate is worsening and public confidence is waning.
“We meet at a time when our region is under severe strain. The recent coup in Guinea-Bissau and the attempted coup in the Benin Republic are sobering reminders of the fragility of our democratic gains.”
He recounted the swift actions taken by ECOWAS leaders following the Guinea-Bissau coup, noting that the Authority convened an extraordinary summit and dispatched a high-level delegation to press for stability.
“ECOWAS cannot and will not accept these developments. They undermine everything our community stands for, and they threaten the peace and security of our citizens.”
He urged fellow ministers to move beyond rhetoric: “Our people no longer have patience for commitments that remain unpaid. They expect us to confront these challenges with seriousness, unity, and purpose.”
Kabba also paid tribute to Nigeria’s hospitality in hosting the session and welcomed new ministers, saying their presence “signals the importance your government attaches to the stability and future of our region.”